THAILAND 1.

Geographical Setting

Country name
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand Conventional short form: Thailand Local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai Local short form: Prathet Thai Former: Siam

Area
Total: 514,000 square kilometres (198,000 sq mi) Land: 511,770 square kilometres (197,600 sq mi) Water: 2,230 cubic kilometres (540 cu mi) Thailand uses a unit of land area called the Rai (unit), which is 1,600 square metres (0.40 acre).

Topography and Drainage

The most conspicuous features of Thailand's terrain are high mountains, a central plain, and an upland plateau. Mountains cover much of northern Thailand and extend along the Myanmar border down through the Kra Isthmus and the Malay Peninsula. The central plain is a lowland area drained by the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries, the country's principal river system, which feeds into the delta at the head of the Bay of Bangkok. The Chao Phraya system drains about one-third of the nation's territory. In the northeastern part of the country the Khorat Plateau, a region of gently rolling low hills

and shallow lakes, drains into the Mekong through the Mun River. The Mekong system empties into the South China Sea and includes a series of canals and dams. Together, the Chao Phraya and Mekong systems sustain Thailand's agricultural economy by supporting wet-rice cultivation and providing waterways for the transport of goods and people. In contrast, the distinguishing natural features of peninsular Thailand are long coastlines, offshore islands, and diminishing mangrove swamps.

Climate
Most of Thailand has a Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Aw) according to theKppen climate classification, while the South and the eastern tip of the East have a tropical monsoon climate (Am); countrywide, temperatures normally range from an average annual high of 38 C (100.4 F) to a low of 19 C (66.2 F). During the dry season, the temperature rises dramatically in the second half of March, spiking to well over 40 C (104 F) in some areas by mid April when the Sun passes the Zenith. Southwest monsoons that arrive between May and July (except in the South) signal the advent of the rainy season (ruedu fon), which lasts into October and the cloud covering reduces the temperature again but the high humidity is experienced as 'hot and sticky'. November and December mark the onset of the dry season and night temperatures on high ground can occasionally drop to a light frost. Temperatures begin to climb in January, and a hot sun parches the landscape. The dry season is shortest in the South because of the proximity of the sea to all parts of the Malay Peninsula. With only minor exceptions, every area of the country receives adequate rainfall, but the duration of the rainy season and the amount of rain vary substantially from region to region and with altitude. The Northeast experiences a long dry season although the dry 2007/2008 season lasted only from late November through mid March. Its red,(laterite) dense clayey soils retain water well, which limits their agricultural potential for many crops but is ideal for keeping the water in the paddy fields and local village reservoirs. The well drained, loose sandy alluvium of the Mekong flood plain is very fertile, the main crops being tomatoes on an industrial scale, tobacco, and pineapples.

2. Form of government

Government type
- constitutional monarchy Chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946) Head of government: Prime Minister YINGLAK Chinnawat, also spelled YINGLUCK Shinawatra (since 8 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister CHALOEM Yubamrung, also spelled CHALERM Yubamrung (since 10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister CHUMPHON Sinlapa-acha, also spelled CHUMPOL SILPA-archa (since 10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister KITTIRAT Na Ranong (since 10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister YONGYUT Wichaidit (10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister YUTHASAK Sasiprapha (since 18 January 2012) Cabinet: Council of Ministers Note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king Elections: the monarchy is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, the prime minister is Elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, the leader of the party positioned to organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister by appointment by the king; the prime minister is limited to two four-year terms

3. Population - The countrys official population was declared at 65,479,453 a. Distribution

- The 33.7% of population that is Central Thai (including Bangkok), the Northeastern Thai / Lao / Isan comprise 34.2%. The rest is made up of Southern Thai (13.3%) and Northern Thai (18.8%).

b. Density - In terms of population density, Thailand is now the 88th ranked country in the world with 132.1 people for every square kilometre (342 per square mile)

4. Educational Ladder

School system
The school structure is divided into four key stages: the first three years in elementary school, Prathom 1 - 3, are for age groups 6 to 8, the second level, Prathom 4 through 6 are for age groups 9 to 11, the third level, Matthayom 1 - 3, is for age groups 12 to 14. The upper secondary level of schooling consists of Matthayom 4 - 6, for age groups 15 to 17 and is divided into academic and vocational streams. There are also academic upper secondary schools, vocational upper secondary schools and comprehensive schools offering both academic and vocational tracks. Students who choose the academic stream usually intend to enter a university. Vocational schools offer programs that prepare students for employment or further studies. Admission to an upper secondary school is through an entrance exam. On the completion of each level, students need to pass the NET (National Educational Test) to graduate. Children are required only to

attend six years of elementary school and at least the first three years of high school. Those who graduate from the sixth year of high school are candidates for two decisive tests: O-NET (Ordinary National Educational Test) and A-NET (Advanced National Educational Test). Public schools are administered by the government, and the private sector comprises schools run for profit and fee-paying non-profit schools which are often run by charitable organisations - especially by Catholic diocesan and religious orders that operate over 300 large primary/secondary schools throughout the country.[3] Village and sub-district schools usually provide pre-school kindergarten (anuban) and elementary classes, while in the district towns, schools will serve their areas with comprehensive schools with all the classes from kindergarten to age 14, and separate secondary schools for ages 11 through 17. Due to budgetary limitations, rural schools are generally less well equipped than the schools in the cities and the standard of instruction, particularly for the English language, is much lower, and many high school students will commute 60 - 80 kilometres to schools in the nearest city.

School grades
The school year in Thailand is divided into two semesters, and for primary and secondary schools generally runs from the middle of May to March, and from June to March for higher education. It has a two or three week break between the two terms in September. The short summer break coincides with the hottest part of the year and Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year celebrations. Schools enjoy all public and Buddhist religious holidays and Christian and international schools usually close for the ChristmasNew Year break.

5. Aims of Education PRINCIPLES AND GOALS OF EDUCATION Principles: Education under the present National Scheme of Education promulgated since 1992 is based on four fundamental principles as follows: 1. the flourishment of individual wisdom, thinking, mind and morality is a

necessary and essential goal towards creating balanced development between spiritual cultivation versus material and economic growth.

2.

Being a part of nature and with the necessity to coexist in harmony with

and underpinning nature, human beings must realize the importance of judicious utilization and conservation of natural resources without causing detrimental effects to the environment. 3. Concurrent with striving to keep up with modern technological progress

and the adoption of foreign or exogeneous culture outside a community, an understanding and appreciation of local knowledge, language and culture of Thai society must be ascertained in order to optimize the use of modern knowledge relevant to the local context and needs. 4. The proper balance between dependency and self-reliance is an essential

basis for cooperation at individual, community and national levels for the promotion of sustainable development, which will help enhance the prominence of Thailand in the world community. Goals: Education is the process that enables human beings to develop their quality of life, lead a peaceful social life, and make a proper contribution to national development in accordance with contextual changes of the nation. As such, the goals of education emphasize balanced and harmonious development of the individual in four aspects as follows: 1. Wisdom An educated person should attain wisdom: the ability to

understand causality; to differentiate between virtue and vices, right and wrong, and good and malicious deeds on the basis of truth; to intelligently solve problems; to recognize and understand rapid and various changes; to be creative and possess an inquiring mind to keep up with technological progress; to appreciate Thai wisdom and culture; and to wisely choose modern knowledge and exogenous culture for adoption by Thai society.

2. Spiritual development

An educated person should be able to train

ones mind to become morally developed; to be self-conscious of wrong-doings; to be self-controlled and self-disciplined in ones behaviour in accordance with moral code of conduct; to uphold religious principles; to be modest and moderate; to possess concentration and perseverance which are essential for working and living. 3. Physical development An educated person should possess healthy

physique normal to ones age; be able to ensure the good health of oneself and ones family, and be able to develop ones physical capacity suitable for work and occupational practices. 4. Social development An educated person should possess proper social

behaviour at work and in the family, organizations and society; to extend help unselfishly; to possess communication skills and ability; to use proper Thai as well as foreign languages for communication purposes; to preserve the Thai national identity and culture; to recognize and observe the rights, duty and responsibility towards others, society, and mankind; to intend upon creating a peaceful society; to recognize and observe ones own and others rights and freedom under the democratic form of government with the king as head of state; to be able to utilize and conserve natural resources and to create a proper environment; and to contribute to enhancing an appropriate role of the nation in the world community.

6. Curriculum

7. Teaching Requirements 8. Funding 9. Perennial Problems in Education a. shortage of teachers b. overcrowding of classes in the public schools